Building Roots

Building Roots Give-What-You-Can fresh food market/ community garden / community-driven programs / wrap around supports & services

Starting in 2013 as a progressive grassroots social venture, Building Roots was initially founded in response to a lack of fresh food access and agricultural growing space across Toronto. We believe that inadequate food systems are a by-product of greater social issues within these communities. Without addressing the need to heal our roots, we cannot address poverty, social isolation & inadequate

civil investment. Shifting our focus in response to these symptoms, and glaringly in response to COVID-19, we began to build resources for social cohesion and co-create targeted development of community tools alongside the community. Among a large list of “firsts” - we have been featured on CBC, CTV, Globe and Mail & the National post all to discuss our impact & how we created Canada’s first ever market operating out of a shipping container. Since 2013 this vision has led us to co-create innovative projects that provide fresh food access, meaningful engagement, and transform communities. In 2019 we launched a charity to expand this work, the Growing Neighbourhoods Foundation.

It’s Public Markets Week, !The Moss Park Market is participating as one of the 160+ markets happening in the city from ...
06/06/2026

It’s Public Markets Week, !

The Moss Park Market is participating as one of the 160+ markets happening in the city from June 6 to 13.

On June 13th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Moss Park Market will welcome Reva, a Skatin First Nations community member, for a special afternoon of sharing food, culture, and connection in honour of National Indigenous History Month. Reva will be preparing and serving her well-loved blueberry and plain bannock alongside butter, jam, and refreshing iced sumac tea for community members to enjoy together.

We know food is the best gateway to culture sharing. While sharing these delicious treats, we will be able to connect across cultures to learn and celebrate.



This summer, our amazing volunteers are bringing fun children’s activities to the market every Saturday from 12–2 PM ☀️W...
06/04/2026

This summer, our amazing volunteers are bringing fun children’s activities to the market every Saturday from 12–2 PM ☀️

We’re excited to make the most of the warm weather and the outdoor space we get to share together — with games, crafts, and fun for little ones all summer long.

A couple quick reminders:
• Activities will be cancelled in the event of rain or extreme heat
• Parents/guardians must remain within eyesight of children at all times

Join us on June 13th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Moss Park Market.We’ll be celebrating Indigenous History Month with R...
06/04/2026

Join us on June 13th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Moss Park Market.

We’ll be celebrating Indigenous History Month with Reva from the Skatin First Nations. She’ll be sharing bannock bread, jam, and refreshing sumac iced tea.

Swipe to learn a bit about the history of bannock.

We can’t wait to see you there! 🧡

This project is presented in partnership with marketcityTO and funded by the City of Toronto’s Economic Development and Culture Division

The 2026 Community Leaders cohort has officially begun 🌿We received a strong number of applications this year, and after...
06/01/2026

The 2026 Community Leaders cohort has officially begun 🌿

We received a strong number of applications this year, and after a thoughtful selection process, we’ve welcomed this year’s group of participants. We’re grateful for the energy and care everyone is bringing into the space.

The first two sessions focused on getting grounded in the program and the neighbourhood. We began by building relationships within the group, sharing stories, setting collective agreements, and reflecting on our individual roles within a larger community context. We also spent time connecting to land and place, including planting Mohawk White corn.

In our second session, we moved into the neighbourhood for a guided walk with community leader Walied Khogali Ali, learning more about local development, advocacy, and ongoing changes in Moss Park. We closed the day with shared reflection and informal time together.

Looking forward to what’s ahead as the cohort continues to grow and learn together.

Navigating benefits and support programs can feel overwhelming, especially when paperwork, eligibility, and applications...
05/29/2026

Navigating benefits and support programs can feel overwhelming, especially when paperwork, eligibility, and applications are involved. On June 6th, community members will have a chance to connect directly with City staff, ask questions, and get support in a more accessible and welcoming setting right in the neighbourhood.

If you’ve been meaning to look into available supports, this is a good opportunity to get guidance face-to-face and learn what resources may be available to you or your family.

Building Roots Statement Of the defunding and closure of Ontario OPS sitesBuilding Roots strongly opposes the planned cl...
05/25/2026

Building Roots Statement Of the defunding and closure of Ontario OPS sites

Building Roots strongly opposes the planned closure of overdose prevention and supervised consumption services.

Harm reduction saves lives. Closing overdose prevention sites in Moss Park and across Ontario will deepen an already devastating crisis and leave more people without safe spaces, care, and support.

People deserve dignity, safety, and access to life-saving services.

We are LOW on bags! We share these with community members picking up fresh produce at our Saturday market— so if you hav...
05/21/2026

We are LOW on bags!

We share these with community members picking up fresh produce at our Saturday market— so if you have any extras taking up space we are happy to take them in! ♻️

They can be dropped off Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m at the Moss Park Market (260 Queen St E)

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This weekend, Maisha — one of our incredible volunteers and community members — prepared jollof rice, chicken, and salad...
05/19/2026

This weekend, Maisha — one of our incredible volunteers and community members — prepared jollof rice, chicken, and salad to share with the community ❤️

When asked why she wanted to cook, she shared:
“I like how when we bring food, it brings community and togetherness. And this is a way I can fill the gaps when we don’t have hot meals.”

A hot meal can completely shift the feeling of a space. People stay longer, talk to each other, and check in. What Maisha brought this weekend was more than food, it is exactly this type of community care that inspires and touches us and the neighbours around us.

Support from community members, donors, and partners helps make these kinds of contributions possible. If you’d like to support future meals, food donations and contributions always go a long way.

https://buildingroots.ca/donate/

Join us for a hands-on gardening workshop! We will learn together how to transplant seedlings and plant the garden! Satu...
05/18/2026

Join us for a hands-on gardening workshop! We will learn together how to transplant seedlings and plant the garden!

Saturday, May 23, 2026
11 am to 1 pm
Moss Park Community Garden

No experience required. Everyone is welcome!
Light refreshments will be provided.

In this Farmer Spotlight, we’re highlighting the TMU Urban Rooftop Farm and the people helping reimagine what food syste...
05/13/2026

In this Farmer Spotlight, we’re highlighting the TMU Urban Rooftop Farm and the people helping reimagine what food systems can look like in a city. From ecological growing practices to food sovereignty initiatives and community partnerships, the rooftop farm is more than just a place where food is grown, it’s a space for learning, connection, and care.

This is also where some of the “extra” items at the Moss Park Market come from — garlic scapes, chili peppers, cherry tomatoes, and more. 🍅

We spoke with Jess Russell, Operations Coordinator at the farm, about urban agriculture, community partnerships, and why growing food is only one part of building a stronger local food system.

Read the full blog linked in our bio. 🔗

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